Liquid Crystal Display Viewing Angle Control via Segmented Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices fail to effectively switch to a mode that hides the display image when viewed from oblique directions while maintaining high display quality and simplicity, as previous solutions either compromise image quality or have complex arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a liquid crystal layer between substrates and pattern electrodes, combined with a linear polarization plate, allows electrical switching between single and multiple image display modes, where the multiple mode superimposes a switching image with a transmission region smaller than 50% of the screen to prevent visibility from oblique directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal molecules are vertically oriented to achieve narrow viewing angle, then viewing angle control is improved, but image display quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display surface is divided into multiple regions with different liquid crystal orientations. The first region has liquid crystal molecules oriented in a first direction, while the second region has molecules oriented in a second direction different from the first. This segmentation allows different parts of the display to serve different functions: one region provides narrow viewing angle for privacy, while another region maintains wide viewing angle for normal display quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are given different local properties through varying liquid crystal orientations. The first region is optimized for privacy protection with vertical orientation, while the second region is optimized for viewing quality with horizontal orientation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to excel at its specific function rather than requiring the entire display to compromise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple liquid crystal cells with different viewing directions are alternately provided, then viewing angle control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple liquid crystal layers with different orientations are combined within a single integrated structure. The patent integrates a first liquid crystal layer and a second liquid crystal layer with different molecular orientations into one unified display device, controlling them through a single substrate and electrode structure. This merging approach achieves the desired viewing angle control functionality while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate cells.
Solution Approach 2:
A single liquid crystal display device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can display images with normal viewing angles in certain regions while simultaneously providing privacy protection in other regions. The unified structure serves both normal display and privacy protection functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed pattern is used to hide display image from oblique directions, then privacy protection is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display device dynamically switches between different liquid crystal orientations based on viewing direction. When viewed from the front, the display maintains normal transparency and image quality. When viewed from oblique directions, the liquid crystal molecules reorient to block the view, providing privacy protection. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to maintain high transmission efficiency for legitimate users while providing privacy protection when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively hides the display image from oblique views while retaining high display quality and simplicity, with the switching image's transmission region proportion optimally set between 20% and 40% for maximum visibility prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a narrow viewing angle is obtained when liquid crystal molecules of a liquid-crystal layer provided between a pair of substrates are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the substrates, and a wide viewing angle is obtained when the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction parallel to the substrates
Implementation Method 2
a linear polarization plate provided on the liquid crystal element
Data Source
AI summary
A portable phone has a main LCD and a SW-LCD, provided on a path of light to be transmitted by the main LCD, which electrically switches between (i) an image to be seen in a single image display mode and (ii) an image to be seen in a multiple image display mode. In the multiple image display mode, the display switch makes it possible that (a) the image displayed by the image display is seen from a front direction and (b) an image obtained by superimposing, onto the image displayed by the image display, a switching image formed by the display switch is seen from an oblique direction. The switching image is formed by providing, with at least one of a pair of transparent electrode films for applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer, a patterning having an area larger than 50% of an area of a display screen.